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Citation
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Judgment date
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| February 2026 |
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Prima facie case found: A1 for murder; A2–A5 for destroying evidence and being accessories after the fact.
Criminal law — Prima facie case; murder — circumstantial evidence (DNA, gunshot residue, injury); doctrine of last seen; destroying evidence (s.89) — 'thing of any kind' wide construction; accessory after the fact (s.189).
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26 February 2026 |
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Bail denied despite adequate sureties because the applicant was committed for trial and faces grave charges creating high absconding risk.
Criminal procedure — Bail — Constitutional right to apply for bail vs. court’s discretion — Trial on Indictments Act ss.15–16 and Bail Guidelines — Fixed place of abode and substantial sureties — Mandatory release after 180 days — Impact of committal and gravity of offence on bail.
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18 February 2026 |
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Pre‑conviction sale of seized assets refused; exhibited cash ordered deposited into ODPP Asset Recovery Fund to preserve value.
Asset recovery – Pre‑conviction disposal of exhibits – Trial on Indictments Act s130(1) – Burden and standard of proof for tainted property – Presumption of innocence and fair trial – Deposit of exhibited cash into ODPP Asset Recovery Management Fund – Exceptions for rapidly depreciating or perishable items.
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16 February 2026 |
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Applicant entitled to mandatory bail after remand exceeding 180 days; court set cash deposit, surety bonds and reporting conditions.
Constitutional law – Article 23(6)(c) – Mandatory bail where remand exceeds 180 days for offences triable only by the High Court – sufficiency of sureties – conditions for release on bail.
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12 February 2026 |
| January 2026 |
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Applicant with serious medical condition granted bail pending trial as an exceptional circumstance with substantial sureties.
Criminal law — Bail pending trial — Discretion under Article 23(6) — Trial on Indictments Act (exceptional circumstances for severe offences) — Serious medical condition (recurrent hypoglycaemia, low BMI) as exceptional circumstance — Sufficiency of sureties — Bail granted with monetary and reporting conditions.
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22 January 2026 |
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An accused committed for trial on a capital charge must prove exceptional circumstances to obtain bail; humanitarian hardship alone is insufficient.
Criminal procedure – Bail pending trial for capital offences – Committal for trial requires accused to prove exceptional circumstances under the Trial on Indictments Act – Humanitarian hardship and lapse of time not automatically exceptional – Interest of justice and speedy trial paramount.
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22 January 2026 |
| December 2025 |
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A direct constitutional petition does not automatically stay criminal proceedings; stay and bail are discretionary and were denied here.
Constitutional petition – direct petition to Constitutional Court does not automatically stay trial – stay of proceedings discretionary and to be exercised sparingly; Bail – discretionary, requires demonstration of exceptional circumstances; Plea taking should precede consideration of stay.
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29 December 2025 |
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Bail for a death‑penalty offence requires statutory "exceptional circumstances"; prior dismissal means new evidence is needed.
Criminal law – Bail pending trial – Aggravated robbery carrying possible death sentence – Section 15 Trial on Indictment Act requires exceptional circumstances for bail – Fixed abode and sureties insufficient – Subsequent bail applications require fresh material – Presumption of innocence relevant but not overriding.
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22 December 2025 |
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Applicant for bail in a capital offence failed to show exceptional circumstances required for release.
Criminal law – Bail pending trial – Capital offences – Section 16(1)(o) and (3) Trial on Indictments Act – Exceptional circumstances required – Fixed abode and sureties insufficient.
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11 December 2025 |
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Bail for aggravated robbery punishable by death refused absent statutory "exceptional circumstances," despite sureties and fixed abode.
Bail — aggravated robbery punishable by death — Trial on Indictment Act s.15(3)-(4) — statutory "exceptional circumstances" required (grave illness, advanced age, DPP certificate) — fixed abode and sureties insufficient — discretion to refuse bail after committal.
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4 December 2025 |
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Applicant in a capital case failed to prove exceptional circumstances required for bail under the Trial on Indictments Act.
Bail — capital offences — exceptional circumstances required under Section 16(3) Trial on Indictments Act — right to bail vs. interests of justice — pre-trial detention and speedy trial.
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4 December 2025 |
| November 2025 |
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After committal over six months, accused on capital charge must prove "exceptional circumstances" under TIA s.16(3) for bail.
Constitutional bail—Article 23(6) v. Trial on Indictments Act; committal to High Court and six‑month lapse converts mandatory bail to discretionary bail under s.15; capital offences require proof of "exceptional circumstances" under s.16(3); fixed abode and sureties insufficient to establish exceptional circumstances.
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20 November 2025 |
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Applicant's mandatory-bail claim failed: committal to High Court within 180 days converts application to discretionary bail requiring exceptional circumstances.
Constitutional law — Article 23(6)(c) — mandatory bail after 180 days — committal to High Court — Trial on Indictments Act (Sections 15–16) — discretionary bail for capital offences — requirement of "exceptional circumstances" — aggravated robbery.
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11 November 2025 |
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A pending JSC complaint alone does not prima facie render a trial judge’s court non-independent or biased.
Constitutional reference – Article 137(5)(a) and (b) – requirement of a prima facie substantial question of constitutional law before referral; Judicial Service Commission complaint – pending complaint against trial judge does not, without more, disqualify the court or mandate constitutional referral; Fair trial – perception of bias vs. demonstrable basis for referral; Articles 28(1) and 44(c).
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6 November 2025 |
| October 2025 |
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The appellant’s conviction for theft was upheld; magistrate’s discretion and audit‑report admissibility affirmed, sentence reduced to four years.
Criminal procedure – closure of defence – court discretion to close after repeated adjournments and failure to secure witnesses. Civil/administrative procedure – filing of revision does not automatically stay lower‑court proceedings unless ordered. Evidence – audit report admissible as expert opinion; lack of formal appointment or chain‑of‑custody affects weight not admissibility. Theft – proof of fraudulent intent may be inferred from systematic removal, false records and admissions. Sentencing – balancing custodial sentence with restitution; excessive custodial term reduced to facilitate rehabilitation and ability to pay compensation.
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30 October 2025 |
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Prolonged pre-trial detention and suitable sureties justified granting bail with specified bonds and reporting conditions.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Discretionary nature of bail under the Constitution and Bail Guidelines; prolonged pre-trial detention as factor favouring bail; suitability of sureties and appropriate bail conditions in aggravated robbery charge.
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30 October 2025 |
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Accused remanded beyond 180 days before committal is entitled to mandatory bail; commitment after expiry does not defeat that right.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(c) and Bail Guidelines 2022 – entitlement where accused remanded beyond 180 days before commitment to High Court. Effect of subsequent commitment to High Court after expiry of statutory remand period – does not defeat mandatory bail entitlement. Considerations for bail – severity of offence, risk of abscondment, presumption of innocence, adequacy of sureties. Relevant authority: Joseph Lusse v. Uganda (treatment of delayed committal).
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30 October 2025 |
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Delay exceeding 180 days before committal for a High Court offence triggers a constitutional right to mandatory bail.
Constitutional law – Article 23(6)(c) – Mandatory bail where accused charged with offences triable only by the High Court has been remanded over 180 days; delay in committal; bail conditions (cash deposit, non-cash sureties, periodic reporting).
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30 October 2025 |
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Bail denied where applicant failed to produce mandatory identity document required by Guideline 12(a).
Bail — statutory/practice-direction documentary requirements — Guideline 12(a) requires applicant’s identity document (national ID, passport, aliens ID, employment or student card); absence of such document grounds refusal of bail despite sureties’ LC1 and their identity copies.
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29 October 2025 |
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Whether the appellant’s conduct established common intention to rob and whether the sentence properly credited remand time.
Criminal law – common intention – doctrine may be inferred from conduct and circumstantial evidence including CCTV footage. Evidence – circumstantial evidence – must lead to one irresistible conclusion absent co‑existing factors. Sentencing – remand credit mandatory and must be mathematically deducted; ambiguity renders sentence illegal. Appellate review – first appellate court duty to re-evaluate material evidence afresh and correct legal sentencing errors.
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28 October 2025 |
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Remand beyond 180 days before committal triggers mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(c), subject to reasonable bail conditions.
Constitutional law – Article 23(6)(c) – mandatory bail where accused remanded 180 days without committal; committal delay; bail conditions; offences triable only by the High Court.
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23 October 2025 |
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Applicant on remand >180 days and medical condition established exceptional circumstances, so bail was granted with conditions.
Constitutional law – Article 23(6) – right to bail and mandatory bail after 180 days on remand; Criminal procedure – Bail Guidelines 2022 – Rule 10(1); Trial on Indictments Act s.16 – exceptional circumstances required for offences triable by High Court; Exceptional circumstances – medical certificate/advanced age as grounds for bail; Committal to High Court does not negate time on remand already served.
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23 October 2025 |
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Applicant charged with aggravated robbery failed to prove statutory "exceptional circumstances" required for bail; application dismissed.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Application for bail pending trial for offence punishable by death – Requirement of "exceptional circumstances" under Section 16(1)(a) and 16(3) of the Trial on Indictments Act. Exceptional circumstances defined: grave illness (medical certificate), advanced age or infancy, or DPP Certificate of No Objection. Speedy trial/backlog does not constitute exceptional circumstances per se. Committal to High Court indicating imminent trial weighs against grant of bail.
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23 October 2025 |
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Prosecution’s failure to produce witnesses and complete evidence meant no prima facie case for aggravated robbery, resulting in acquittal.
Criminal procedure – Prima facie case – Trial on Indictments Act s74; Aggravated robbery – elements: taking/asportation, violence, weapon, participation; Expungement of incomplete testimony; Prosecution’s failure to produce witnesses and exhibits; Acquittal for lack of prima facie case.
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23 October 2025 |
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Territorial jurisdiction is essential; reconciliation under section 160 cannot dispose of felony charges; matter transferred to proper magistrate's court.
Criminal procedure — Revision — High Court supervisory powers to correct jurisdictional errors and irregularities. Jurisdiction — Territorial jurisdiction — Offence location determines appropriate magistrates' court; consent agreement after commission cannot confer jurisdiction. Reconciliation — Section 160 Magistrates Courts Act inapplicable to felonies; obtaining money by false pretences is a felony.
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22 October 2025 |
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Criminal Division has jurisdiction; recusal denied; identity dispute deferred to scheduling before plea.
Criminal jurisdiction – committal and file allocation to High Court Criminal Division; Transfer to International Crimes Division – no proof of committal to ICD; Recusal – test for apprehension of bias; Identity particulars in indictment – amenable to amendment or resolution at scheduling before plea.
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15 October 2025 |
| September 2025 |
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First appellate court quashes two false-cheque convictions for lack of produced cheques but upholds fraud and conspiracy convictions, reducing compensation to proven loss.
Criminal law – issuing false cheques – requirement to produce cheques in evidence to prove issuance and dishonour. Criminal law – obtaining money by false pretences – circumstantial evidence and signed agreement sufficient to prove receipt and intent to defraud. Criminal law – conspiracy – inferable from conduct; role of guarantor in scheme. Sentencing – compensation must reflect proven loss; remand time to be taken into account.
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24 September 2025 |
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Bail denied where applicant failed to prove non‑abscondment and comply with mandatory identification and surety requirements.
Criminal procedure – Mandatory bail – Article 23(6)(a) Constitution and Trial on Indictments Act ss.15–16 – applicant must show exceptional circumstances or prove he will not abscond – factors include fixed abode and sound sureties – compliance with Bail Guidelines (national ID, introductory letter) mandatory – court discretion to deny bail despite prolonged remand.
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18 September 2025 |
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Court dismissed application to revise noise and nuisance charges and refused stay or nullity; trial to proceed expeditiously.
Criminal procedure – revision of magistrates' proceedings; noise regulation – Section 107 National Environment Act; common nuisance – Section 160 Penal Code; stays and nullity – supervisory jurisdiction under Section 17 Judicature Act; prosecutorial independence under Article 120; interlocutory restraint (Kamoga Muhamedi v Uganda; Sarah Kulata Basangwa v Uganda).
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18 September 2025 |
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Court convicted two accused of aggravated robbery on reliable identification and weapon evidence; a co-accused was acquitted.
Criminal law – Aggravated robbery – elements: taking property, use/threat of deadly weapon, participation; Identification evidence – quality factors (illumination, proximity, duration, opportunity to observe) – reliable identification may support conviction; Medical evidence corroborates use of deadly weapon; Insufficient evidence requires acquittal of a co-accused.
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17 September 2025 |
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Appellant’s convictions for obtaining registration by false pretences and fraudulent procurement of title are upheld; appeal dismissed.
Criminal law – Obtaining registration by false pretences (s312 PCA); Fraudulent procurement of certificate of title (s190(1) RTA); proof requires procurement, wilfulness and false representation; possession as equitable title and corroborative documents; procedural compliance with particulars of grounds on appeal (Section 28(4) CPC); appellate review of sentence.
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14 September 2025 |
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Applicant granted bail; medical condition not exceptional and sureties/fixed abode allayed absconding risk.
Criminal procedure — Bail — Application under Article 23(6) and sections 15–16 Trial on Indictments Act — Exceptional circumstances (medical) — Fixed abode and sureties — Risk of absconding — Bail Guidelines 2022.
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8 September 2025 |
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Court imposed lengthy concurrent terms for aggravated trafficking and aggravated defilement of a six-year-old, deducting remand time.
Criminal law – Aggravated defilement and aggravated trafficking – Victim age and severity of injuries as principal aggravating factors; sentencing range and deterrence considerations. Plea of guilty – Validity after prima facie case established; change of plea not automatically mitigating. Mitigation – First offender status weighed against brutality and permanence of harm. Sentencing – Concurrent terms for offences arising from single transaction; remand deduction; right to appeal sentence only.
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5 September 2025 |
| August 2025 |
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The High Court dismissed a bail application as no civilian criminal proceedings were pending against the applicant.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Jurisdiction of High Court – Bail application where no civilian charge is pending – Effect of Supreme Court judgment barring military trial of civilians – Article 23(6)(a) of the Constitution and Articles 28, 120(3)(b) – Section 42 Magistrates Courts Act – Requirement for criminal proceedings to be properly before court.
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27 August 2025 |
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The court granted bail pending appeal to a convicted applicant after applying established criteria and setting strict conditions.
Bail – bail pending appeal – conditions for grant – risk of absconding – strength and reliability of sureties – factors for consideration including pendency and possibility of success in appeal – guiding legal precedents – discretionary grant of bail to convicted appellants.
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27 August 2025 |
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Criminal Procedure – Revision – Revisional powers – Freezing of bank account under S.8 Computer Misuse Act – Preservation orders must be temporary, based on reasonable grounds – Ten-month freeze without charges or progress unlawful – Violation of right to property – Disproportionate hardship (scholarship disruption) – Allegations of fraud unproven – Freeze set aside, bank directed to unfreeze account
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21 August 2025 |
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A judge declined to recuse himself, finding no reasonable basis for alleged bias from delays or prior rulings.
Recusal of judge – alleged bias – reasonable apprehension of bias – scheduling delays – prior adverse rulings – application dismissed for lack of merit
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19 August 2025 |
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The High Court dismissed a bail application for lack of jurisdiction where a case was not properly initiated in a civilian court after transfer from the Court Martial.
Criminal procedure – jurisdiction – bail application – transfer of cases from military to civilian courts – necessity of committal proceedings – Kabaziguruka decision does not override procedural safeguards for initiating criminal proceedings in civilian courts – High Court jurisdiction over bail predicated on proper commencement of proceedings.
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18 August 2025 |
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Applicants entitled to bail after completing statutory remand period without committal, subject to appropriate non-cash bond and sureties.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Completion of statutory remand period – Criteria for grant of bail – Suitable sureties – Non-cash bond – Requirement to report to court.
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13 August 2025 |
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Remand for mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(c) is calculated from first appearance before the ordinary criminal court, not military.
Criminal procedure – bail – mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(c) of the Constitution – computation of remand period – distinction between remand before military court and regular court – evidentiary requirements for remand period – committal overtaking bail application.
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8 August 2025 |
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High Court grants mandatory bail to a civilian remanded over 180 days after General Court Martial lacked jurisdiction.
Constitutional and criminal procedure - Mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(c) where accused triable only by High Court and remanded over 180 days. Jurisdiction - High Court may entertain bail applications for civilians previously before General Court Martial following Supreme Court declaration that military courts lack jurisdiction. Bail requirements - burden on respondent to rebut entitlement; verification of sureties and risk of absconding; release may be conditioned under Trial on Indictments Act s.15. Remedy for detention delay - protection against prolonged pre-trial detention and promotion of expeditious transfer and trial.
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7 August 2025 |
| July 2025 |
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Criminal Law — Private Prosecution — Powers of DPP to take over and discontinue proceedings — Requirement for consent of court
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30 July 2025 |
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An application was dismissed for want of prosecution after prolonged and unexplained inaction by the applicant.
Criminal procedure – dismissal for want of prosecution – abuse of court process – abandonment of application – inherent powers of High Court to curtail delay – Section 17 Judicature Act.
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29 July 2025 |
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An application was dismissed for want of prosecution due to the applicant's failure to take steps after filing.
Criminal procedure – Abuse of process – Dismissal for want of prosecution – Inherent power of court to curtail delays and weed out abandoned cases – High Court supervisory jurisdiction over magistrates' courts.
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29 July 2025 |
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A bail application was dismissed for want of prosecution due to prolonged inaction by the applicant.
Criminal procedure – bail application – failure to prosecute – abuse of court process – dismissal for want of prosecution – inherent powers of court to curtail delay.
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21 July 2025 |
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Criminal Procedure—Media access—Sub judice—Supervisory powers—Fair trial—Press freedom—Trial court discretion—Delay in revision—Challenge to ban on audio/video coverage as unfair—State justified order for decorum, sub judice compliance—No miscarriage of justice found—Order valid, no bad faith—Application dismissed
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15 July 2025 |
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Applicant denied bail for failing to provide national ID and adequate traceability despite substantial sureties.
Bail — constitutional right to apply for bail; discretion under s15 and s16 Trial on Indictment Act; requirement to prove fixed place of abode; Practice Direction 12(a) — production of national identity card and LC1; suitability and substantiality of sureties; risk of abscondment; gravity of offence not conclusive.
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1 July 2025 |
| June 2025 |
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Bail application denied despite proof of residence and sureties due to the grave nature of the offence and committal to the High Court.
Criminal procedure — Bail — Presumption of innocence and discretionary nature of bail; fixed place of abode and LC1 evidence; suitability of sureties under Bail Guidelines; exceptional circumstances not mandatory; serious offences and committal to High Court justify refusal of bail.
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30 June 2025 |
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Bail – Release of Passport – Constitutional Rights – Right to Movement – Risk of Flight – Medical Grounds – Compliance with Bail Terms – Court Discretion – Article 29(2) of the Constitution – Passport as Property – Reasonableness of Bail Conditions
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25 June 2025 |
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Revision – Private Prosecution – Insulting the Modesty of a Woman – Jurisdiction – Prima Facie Case – Duty of Candour – Electronic Evidence – Recusal – Freedom of Expression – High Court Supervisory Powers – Application Dismissed – Proceedings to Resume
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24 June 2025 |